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GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY

MINUTES OF THE FACULTY SENATE MEETING

DECEMBER 7, 2016

Robinson Hall B113, 3:00 – 4:15 p.m.

Senators present: Alan Abramson, Mark Addleson, Dominque Banville, Jim Bennett, Alok Berry, Lisa

Billingham, Doris Bitler Davis, Virginia Blair, Melissa Broeckelman-Post, Ángel Cabrera, Carol

Cleaveland, James Conant, Shannon Davis, Betsy DeMulder, Charlene Douglas, John Farina, David

Gallay, Pamela Garner, Michele Greet, Jesse Guessford, Bijan Jabbari, Rebecca Jones, Diana

Karczmarczyk, Chris Kennedy, David Kravitz, David Kuebrich, Timothy Leslie, Bethany Letiecq, Daniel

Menascé, Linda Monson, Daniel Polsby, Jeremy Rabkin, Keith Renshaw, Pierre Rodgers, Catherine

Sausville, Suzanne Slayden, James Steele, June Tangney, Susan Trencher, Girum Urgessa, Iosif Vaisman,

Jenice View, S.David Wu, Stanley Zoltek.

Senators absent: Peggy Agouris, Kevin Avruch, Kenneth Ball, Deborah Boehm-Davis, Henry Butler,

Rick Davis, Pamina Firchow, Mark Ginsberg, Dimitrios Ioannou, Larry Kerschberg, Kevin McCrohan,

Kumar Mehta, Elavie Ndura, Sarah Nutter, Robert Pasnak, Thomas Prohaska, Mark Rozell, Joe Scimecca,

John Zenelis.

Visitors present: LaShonda Anthony, Director, Academic Integrity; Eve Dauer, Associate Provost,

University Registrar; Steven Dillingham, Assistant Registrar – Certification; Pat Donini, Assistant Vice

President of Human Resources, Human Resources/Payroll; Esther Elstun, Professor emerita, Modern and

Classical Languages; Kim Ford, Personnel Project Manager, Academic Administration, Provost Office;

Mark Fournier, Assistant Vice President of Business Services, Auxiliary Enterprises; Daniel Garrison,

Director, Online Education, Volgenau School of Engineering; Linda Harber, Vice President, Human

Resources/Payroll & Faculty/Staff Life; Alison Latif, Graduate Student, School of Nursing; Susan

Lawrence, Assistant Professor/Director, Writing Center; Megan Kirk, Vice Chair, Staff Senate; Laura

Lukes, Assistant Director, Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence; Janette K. Muir, Associate

Provost, Academic Initiatives and Services; Mary Oberlies, Conflict and Peace Studies Librarian,

University Libraries; Shelley Reid, Director, Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence; Marilyn T.

Smith, Vice President/Chief Information Officer, Information Technology Services; Julian Williams, Vice

President, Compliance, Diversity and Ethics. Odette Willis, Assistant Professor, School of Nursing.

I. Call to Order: Chair Keith Renshaw called the meeting to order at 3:01 p.m.

II. Approval of the Minutes of November 2, 2016: The minutes were approved.

III. Announcements

President Cabrera thanked the Faculty Senate for having me. Thank you for the work you do in the

classroom, lab, and work to move university forward and for service in this group as additional work, and

for the chair you selected. It is a pleasure to work with you and Keith Renshaw’s voice is heard at BOV

meetings.

The university is doing very well. We set another enrollment record, more work and stress, but more

students want to be here. Applications are coming in strong for spring and fall; weaker graduate side is

turning around. Outcomes strong – students graduate at high rates, differences between groups

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…performing at same levels. Continuing to enjoy reclassification of university to Tier I (research

institution) about a year ago. Issues….resources, structural issues. He appreciates the great work you and

the rest of the faculty do. He is open to questions from the floor.

A disturbing issue in the BOV book was related to faculty salaries. Faculty salaries are a major constraint

in northern Virginia.

President Cabrera: All things thing you mention are true….depending on how numbers on salaries

correspond to peer group, sometimes numbers worse than you say. We have the biggest issue of salary

competitiveness in Virginia. Our lobbying over the past three years starts with salaries and the northern

Virginia COLA. We thought we were successful to get average 3% increase in Virginia (state) budget.

The authority and appropriation goes away if state revenues do not meet this level. So we got together

and did a non-raise rise: the Mason Strategic Retention Initiative. So far the Commonwealth’s reaction

low or non-existent, they get it.

A Senator asked about the release of a “hit list” of university faculty – “watch list” around the country.

Faculty are singled out for stories on climate change and other issues.

President Cabrera was not aware of it. He also thanked Senators for their support for Deferred Action for

Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in today’s resolution (Attachment F). He appreciates resolution a very

delicate issue, makes us more of a target. Other colleges have (a few) DACA students, we could have

150-300 DACA students here. As a University we apply the law, we do what we need to do. President

Cabrera will continue to be engaged and discussed why it makes sense for us to take care of our students. .

A Senator asked President Cabrera about the logic of his statement: “You would not consider failing to

comply with federal law.”

President Cabrera: Until about three years ago, our DACA students were not eligible for in-state tuition.

Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced DACA status made them qualify for in-state tuition.

The Attorney General is our lawyer. Some elected officials disagreed with him. So President Cabrera’s

interpretation rests on DACA in-state tuition status. If DACA goes away on January 20th, we would not

be able to charge in-state tuition; so DACA students would see an increase from about $10K to $30K

tuition per year. The majority of DACA students are from poor families, some might go away. DACA

students do not have access to federal loans or Pell grants. There is no limit on private foundations. Don

Graham and some other wealthy business leaders established “Dream US” scholarships. Our students

benefit from private philanthropy. We also have a dream scholarship in the GMU Foundation. Other

first generation students also apply for scholarships.

In response to another question, President Cabrera reiterated the number of DACA students is not exact –

150-300 students. Several Senators thanked President Cabrera for his support of inclusivity, see “You

belong at Mason” November 10, 2016).

Provost Wu: Keith Renshaw impressed on me you have a really packed agenda. He wishes all a great

holiday break. It has been a very interesting semester and wishes everyone a well-deserved break!

IV. Committee Reports

A. Senate Standing Committees

Executive Committee- no report.

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Academic Policies- Suzanne Slayden, Chair

The 2017 Summer Term Calendar was presented for approval. With no additional discussion

from the floor, the Senate voted to approve it. See Attachment A .

The Registrar's Office is revising the Academic Year calendars to include on-line courses.

When they are finished, the calendar will be submitted to the Faculty Senate. The Academic

Year calendars have been approved through Spring 2020.

The Academic Policies Committee recommends that the Faculty Senate approve the "Conferral

of a Posthumous Degree" policy (below), which will be incorporated into the University

Catalog. Currently, the university has no clear or consistent policy for awarding a degree to a

deceased student.

Conferral of a Posthumous Degree

A posthumous degree is an official GMU degree that is awarded to a deceased student in recognition of

the student’s academic achievement. The criteria for the award are established in order to uphold

academic and institutional integrity. If a student does not qualify for a posthumous degree, an “In

Memoriam” degree may be awarded to a student in good academic standing. Either degree award is

subject to final review by the Provost.

Criteria for Award of a Posthumous Degree at George Mason University

A posthumous degree may be awarded if, at the time of the student’s death, he or she was enrolled in

George Mason University, was in good academic standing, and was nearing completion of the

requirements in the major degree program.

Undergraduate: The student must have completed 90 credit hours, with at least 30 credit

hours completed at GMU.

Graduate – Masters: The student must have been admitted into degree status; completed at

least 80% of the credit hours required for the degree, with at least 18 hours completed at

GMU; and have a minimum GPA of 3.00 which does not include more than 6 credits of C.

If the degree requirements include a thesis, the student must have completed sufficient research or scholarship such that a thesis or one or more articles can be prepared. The student’s thesis committee must approve the thesis or article(s) and recommend granting the degree.

Graduate – Doctoral: The student must have advanced to candidacy; completed all

coursework required for the degree with a minimum GPA of 3.00 which does not include more

than 6 credits of C; and must have completed a full draft of the dissertation. The student’s

dissertation committee must determine that the dissertation could have been defended and

recommend granting the degree.

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Discussion/Questions:

In response to several questions about more stringent posthumous degree requirements at the

graduate –masters and graduate-doctoral levels. Senator Slayden noted this is general enough to

accommodate them – whatever dissertation requirements there may be. At the undergraduate

level, 90 credit hours represents 75% of requirement; and 80% of credit hours completed at the

masters’ level.

The Senate approved Conferral of a Posthumous Degree.

Budget and Resources – Tim Leslie, Chair

The annual request for salaries is ongoing. We are requesting total and base compensation, and are

working to incorporate adjuncts into our numbers.

We are in the process of collecting information from each of the colleges and schools regarding

how they make decisions about creating and/or filling administrative faculty positions relative to

tenure-line positions.

Regarding research grants, we identified a number of inadvertent barriers and disincentives for

seeking and maintaining extramural funding. We are working to address some of these in the

budget model (e.g., including specific accounting of use of indirect funds) and/or in emerging new

university-wide policies.

Faculty Matters – Alan Abramson, Chair

We are finalizing the Faculty Evaluation of Administrators.

Nominations – Mark Addleson, Chair

Rebecca Jones nominated to fill vacancy on O&O Committee. No further nominations were made

from the floor and the nomination was approved.

Research Advisory Committee: The committee consists of seven tenure-line (tenured, tenure-

track) faculty from at least five different schools/colleges. At least TWO faculty must be at the

Associate Professor level. At least TWO faculty must be at the Full Professor level (includes

University Professors and Robinson Professors. At least one of the committee members must be a

faculty senator. The statements of seven nominees appear in the agenda – see Attachment B. The

floor is open to additional nominees. Six additional nominations were made and seconded from

the floor. As each nomination was made from the floor, each nominee’s statement was projected

for Senators to view - see Attachment C.

1. Amanda Shehu, Associate Professor of Computer Science, Volgenau School of Engineering

2. Sharon Leon, Associate Professor of History and Art History, College of Humanities and

Social Sciences.

3. Michael Summers, Full Professor, Physics and Astronomy, College of Science

4. Janusz Wojtusiak, Associate Professor, Health Administration and Policy, College of Health

and Human Services

5. Cara Frankenfeld, Associate Professor, Global and Community Health, College of Health and

Human Services

6. Faye Taxman, University Professor, Criminology, Law and Society, College of Humanities

and Social Sciences.

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The floor was closed to nominations. A ballot with 7 names was distributed. You can add any of

the nominees from the floor you wish to vote for. Voting does not have to meet requirements for

committee. Candidates must receive a majority of the votes cast and applied against the

committee’s requirements as delineated above. The Sergeants-at-Arms collected and tabulated the

ballots, 6 nominees received a majority of the votes: Claudio Cioffi-Revilla (COS), Gerald

Hanweck (Business), Amy Hutchison (CEHD), Bijan Jabbari (VSE and a faculty senator),

Kimberly Sheridan (CEHD/CVPA), and Michael Summers (COS). As we have to have a majority

vote, a runoff election will take place between the two next top vote getters: Danielle Rudes

(Criminology, Law and Society, CHSS) and Sharon Leon (History and Art History, CHSS).

Sharon Leon received the majority of votes cast and was elected to serve on the Committee.

Organization and Operations – Lisa Billingham, Chair

Senator Billingham introduced the motion, thanking the committee for several months of work

and research, and input from the Executive Committee. Most offices listed here provide some sort

of service and are all involved. Efforts would involve coordination of efforts across campuses,

staggered terms to preserve institutional memory.

Motion Calling for the Creation of a Committee for Multilingual Academic Support

In response to the 2015 Multilingual Student Task Force Report, it is hereby moved that the

Faculty Senate establish a new University Standing Committee, entitled Multilingual Academic

Support, with the following charge and composition:

Charge:

The committee will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of efforts to support

multilingual students. This will include offering input on the types of direct student resources

(e.g., classes and tutoring services) needed for students with varying language (writing, speaking,

listening, and reading) abilities, the types of faculty development support: needed to enhance the

teaching of linguistically diverse students across the curriculum, and the types of administrative

support needed to enable key programs to lead specialized curriculum and faculty development

efforts.

Composition:

The Committee will include one representative from each of the following areas: (1) Writing

Center, (2) Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence, (3) Writing Across the Curriculum

Committee, Libraries, Composition/English Courses Faculty, Basic Communication Courses,

INTO, Academic Advising and Transitions Center, and University Life. In addition, there will be

three elected faculty representatives (including one faculty senator), from at least two separate

colleges/schools, each serving staggered 2-year terms.

Discussion:

An amendment was proposed and seconded to remove the numbers (1), (2), and (3) from the

composition paragraph as there are more than three representatives listed. The amendment was

approved.

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An amendment was proposed to insert “at least” from the first sentence of the Composition

paragraph so that the amended segment would read: “The Committee will include at least one

representative from each of the following areas…” The amendment was not seconded.

An amendment was proposed and seconded to insert “Mason” after “INTO” in the third line of the

composition paragraph so that the amended segment would read: “...Basic Communication

Courses, INTO Mason, Academic Advising and Transitions Center…” The amendment was

approved.

Do staggered terms apply to everyone on the committee? Yes. Suggestion made to not apply

staggered terms to those who are fixed people, such as the Director of the Writing Center. To

stagger to consider reappointment of someone – will be appointed by offices, if you want for

example the Director of the Writing Center, make them ex-officio. Why not let people from these

units decide who to represent them?

Professor Shelley Reid, now Director of the Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence, served

on the earlier committee, expressed concern that ex-officio status removes them from voting

power, likes them to be able to vote, to make clear.

To clarify, as a University Standing Committee, has no control over resources. Can make

decisions well-formed and important and can die a sad death. How to make this committee

connected how to make it matter? To have some assurance – from the Provost Office, member to

have authority to act/spend?

Another Senator stated that he was not sure any committee can ensure it has teeth, makes sense to

have Provost Office representative included, but up to the committee to do.

This is a problem throughout the university, where students cannot get the resources they need.

We need a way to identify, to resolve a huge issue. Students are very frustrated.

Professor Reid: The original committee included Janette Muir, then Associate Provost for

Undergraduate Education. Not to limit work to undergraduates, but suggested the new Associate

Provost for Undergraduate Education continue on this committee? Several Senators agreed with

this proposal.

In a discussion whether to use “Council” or “Committee”, University Committees have to report

to the Faculty Senate.

Provost Wu: We did put resources in the budget this year for academic support in three different

areas: CHSS, Diversity and Inclusion, and Multilingual Support. Not only did we heed you the

first time, we appreciate the importance of supporting multilingual students their numbers

continue to increase.

A motion was made and seconded to add the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education to

the Committee’s membership as a non-voting member. The motion was seconded.

Discussion: Ex-officio committee members can vote. Should we wait until later to ask the Provost

to identify the appropriate Provost Office person? Another Senator preferred to have person from

Provost Office as a voting member.

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Two amendments were made and seconded: (1) to add the Associate Provost for Undergraduate

Education (2) as a non-voting ex-officio member of the committee. The amendments were

approved and the motion, approved as amended appears below:

Committee for Multilingual Support

Charge:

The committee will be responsible for assisting in the implementation of efforts to support

multilingual students. This will include offering input on the types of direct student resources

(e.g., classes and tutoring services) needed for students with varying language (writing, speaking,

listening, and reading) abilities, the types of faculty development support: needed to enhance the

teaching of linguistically diverse students across the curriculum, and the types of administrative

support needed to enable key programs to lead specialized curriculum and faculty development

efforts.

Composition:

The Committee will include one representative from each of the following areas: Writing Center,

Center for Teaching and Faculty Excellence, Writing Across the Curriculum Committee,

Libraries, Composition/English Courses Faculty, Basic Communication Courses, INTO Mason

Academic Advising and Transitions Center, and University Life. In addition, there will be three

elected faculty representatives (including one faculty senator), from at least two separate

colleges/schools, each serving staggered 2-year terms. The Associate Provost for Undergraduate

Education will serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the committee.

We will finalize language and then send out call for Nominations.

B. Other Committees/Faculty Representatives

Faculty Handbook Revision Committee – Suzanne Slayden

Proposed Revisions to the Faculty Handbook

(http://www.gmu.edu/resources/facstaff/senate/FacultyHandbook/fac-hndbk-rev-2016F.htm)

The proposed revisions to Section 2.8 (Appeal of Negative Decisions in Renewal, Tenure and

Promotion Cases) of the Faculty Handbook have been approved by the Faculty Handbook

Revision Committee and the Provost.

At this meeting of the Faculty Senate, the Committee will present the revisions and ask for brief

discussion. Afterwards, the Committee will amend the revisions if necessary. At the Feb. 1, 2017

Faculty Senate meeting, the Committee will ask that the proposed revisions be voted on without

further change. If they are approved by the Faculty Senate, they will be submitted to the Board of

Visitors for final approval.

The Committee welcomes comments and suggestions before and after the Faculty Senate meeting.

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Committee members: Alan Abramson (SSPG), Cynthia Lum (CHSS), Suzanne Slayden (COS).

Questions and discussion included clarification of the meaning of “Substantial New Evidence”

applicable in a tenure appeal case; the need for flexibility to establish procedures by the UPTRAC

committee to make a good value judgment, not needed in Faculty Handbook text. The committee

invites your comments, questions and clarifications. Chair Renshaw will send out the link

embedded in the agenda and asks Senators to send detailed suggestions/questions to the Faculty

Handbook Committee.

External Academic Relations Committee – David Kravitz and Christy Pichichero

Two committee members attended the Faculty Senate of Virginia Meeting in Fredericksburg in

November. The meeting was focused on organization of Higher Education Advocacy Day in

Richmond, VA on Thursday, January 12, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. We need faculty

lobbyists, and a few students would also be good. Lobbyists will be given a schedule, instructions

about what to request, and a supporting white paper on the economic advantages of funding higher

education. We will make two requests of the legislators: (1) Keep your word and give us the

budget you promised; (2) If you cut the budget, give us the flexibility to raise tuition and fees. If

you are interested in attending, please email David Kuebrich at dkuebric@gmu.edu.

Mason Core Committee – Janette Muir, Chair

Janette Muir, Associate Provost for Academic Initiatives and Services, presented the proposal as

informational, we will return to it in the spring and will present the full context of it in the next

Faculty Senate meeting (February 1, 2017). The proposal could have some potential resource

issues, please talk with your colleges about it. Faculty Senators Dominique Banville (CEHD) and

Melissa Broeckelman-Post (CHSS) serve on the Mason Core Committee.

Proposal for the Mason Core: Ethics across the Curriculum Requirement

Background:

George Mason University recognizes the importance of Ethics as both a time-honored intellectual pursuit,

and crucial component of personal conduct and character. Characteristics of a Mason Graduate include

“an engaged citizen” who is “ethically oriented and committed to democratic ideals; respectful

of individual differences, rights, and liberties; knowledgeable of important issues affecting the

world; focused on the well-being of others; and committed to building a just society.” Mapping

to the Mason Graduate is the Mason Core learning outcome that promotes the development of

“Ethical, Inquiry-Based Citizens” who are tolerant, understanding, and able to “conceptualize

and communicate about problems of local, national and global significance, using research and

evaluative perspectives to contribute to the common good.”

The Mason Core Curriculum Committee acknowledges and embraces the challenges that accompany

Ethics, and welcomes the opportunity to weave the intricate interdisciplinary threads that comprise the

well-rounded, globally engaged, Mason graduate. In looking specifically at the ethics component several

issues arise:

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Student surveys have revealed moderate satisfaction with their ethics education at Mason with

some noting that they receive no education in this area;

The current learning outcomes for Ethics are included in the IT/Ethics category, complicating

outcomes that more specifically focus on issues related specifically to information technology;

The current connection only to IT limits the potential for students to understand the various

applications for ethical issues and decision making in their course of study or future profession.

As a result of these concerns, the Mason Core Committee voted to decouple the Ethics requirement from

the IT requirement. While ethics certainly apply to the ever-growing field of IT, the committee believes

that an “Ethics across the Curriculum” approach would be beneficial in a number of ways, in particular

removing Ethics from IT would allow for each department to play a more active role in crafting discipline-

specific curriculum or identifying existing courses from other disciplines that would provide the most

useful tools for graduates when approaching ethical problems in their field of choice.

Requirements for Ethics across the Curriculum

Motion: Each Local Academic Unit will designate 1 course that contains the equivalent of 1 credit of Ethics

(approx. 15 hours) in its content to satisfy the Mason Core Ethics Requirement. This may be a 1 credit

stand-alone course or a 3 credit course with 1 credit’s worth of Ethics embedded in it. All students are

required to complete the Ethics requirement (including those who transfer in through the Guaranteed

Admission Agreement).

The Local Academic Unit may:

Propose a course within a specific major that meets the learning outcomes for the Ethics across

the Curriculum category (NOTE: this could be any level course, provided it meets the learning

outcomes)

Utilize an offering that is listed on the Mason Core approved list for the Ethics requirements

Utilize an existing approved traditional ethics course offered by the Department of Philosophy

Ethics across the Curriculum- Learning Outcomes (approved by Mason Core committee on 11/1/16)

A successful course proposal will illustrate that the new or existing course satisfies the requirements for

Ethics across the Curriculum by demonstrating that it meets the two following learning objectives:

1. Students will identify, explain, and use different frameworks for understanding ethical problems.

2. Students will be able to recognize, evaluate, and respond critically to ethical problems in personal,

social, or disciplinary context.

Implementation

Once approved by the Faculty Senate, the Ethics requirement will be removed from the Information

Technology Core category and the creation of Ethics across the Curriculum would be reflected in catalog

changes for the 2017-2018 academic year.

Overall Advantages

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Highlights Ethics as a core value for the Mason Graduate

Promotes the study of ethics in the appropriate disciplinary contexts and applications

Creates more flexibility for both students and faculty in terms of course offerings

V. New Business

Resolution regarding inclusivity

Senator Betsy DeMulder: The primary intent of this resolution is to affirm our commitment to the safety,

well-being and privacy of all of our students, particularly those who are most vulnerable. As you have

heard, President Cabrera has publicly expressed his commitment. Student groups across campuses have

expressed not only fear and concerns but also their hope for ongoing support. It is right and important that

we, as Mason faculty, also express our commitment.

Sponsors: Betsy DeMulder (CEHD/GSE & Senator), Bethany Letiecq (CEHD/GSE & Senator),

Jenice L. View (CEHD/GSE & Senator), David Kravitz (School of Business & Senator),

Elavie Ndura (CEHD/GSE & Senator), Carol Cleaveland (CHHS/Social Work &

Senator), Jo-Marie Burt (Schar School of Policy and Government), Rodney

Hopson (CEHD/GSE), Rachael Goodman (CEHD/GSE), Shelley Wong (CEHD/GSE),

Joseph Williams (CEHD/GSE), Paul Gorski (CHSS/School Integrative Studies),

Eden King (CHSS/Psychology), Angela Hattery (CHHS/Women and Gender Studies),

Supriya Baily (CEHD/GSE), Suzanne Scott Constantine (CHSS/School of Integrative

Studies), Lynn Scott Constantine (College of Visual and Performing Arts), Noura Erakat

(CHSS/School of Integrative Studies), Julie Owen (CHSS/School of Integrative Studies),

Leslie Dwyer (School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution)

WHEREAS, George Mason University’s mission is to be an “inclusive academic community committed

to creating a more just, free, and prosperous world”; and

WHEREAS, The Faculty Senate and our academic community and peers across the country are concerned

about the recent increase in hate crimes and repeated examples of threats against women, people of color,

LGBTQAI-identified individuals, specific ethnic and religious groups, and immigrants around the United

States; and

WHEREAS, students at George Mason University and campuses across the country have expressed

concerns and fears about being targets of harassment, hate-crimes, and violence;

WHEREAS, President Cabrera recently stated to the campus community that “We must reaffirm our

commitment to embracing a multitude of people and ideas in everything that we do, to respecting

differences, and to protecting the freedom of all members of our community to seek truth and express

their views”; and

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WHEREAS, President-Elect Donald Trump has made statements that he plans to repeal executive orders

including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and deport millions of undocumented

immigrants, which may include DACA and undocumented Mason students; and

WHEREAS, George Mason University has been a strong supporter of DACA students (including offering

in-state tuition and various scholarships to those who are eligible), and President Cabrera recently joined

more than 350 college and university leaders in signing a statement urging the preservation and expansion

of DACA;

THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, That the Faculty Senate voices its strong support for George Mason University’s

commitment to protecting the learning environment and the safety, security and wellbeing of our students,

faculty, staff, and the broader community; and be it further

RESOLVED, That members of the Faculty Senate strive for and are committed to sustaining a campus

environment in which all students, faculty, and staff are free from oppression, violence, intimidation, and

fear such that everyone in our community can participate fully in university life; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Faculty Senate strongly supports President Cabrera’s call to preserve and expand

DACA and that our campus will continue to provide and expand funding and support for DACA and

undocumented students and abide by laws that protect students’ privacy and personal information; and be

it further

RESOLVED, That George Mason University move forward with implementation of campus-wide

training in anti-bias and de-escalation intervention techniques; and be it further

RESOLVED, That George Mason University provide adequate support services for our students,

including accessible and culturally-responsive services for students from marginalized communities; and

be it further

RESOLVED, That George Mason University implement a system for receiving ongoing feedback from

students, faculty and staff about campus climate and additional future actions to protect the safety and

dignity of the Mason community.

Discussion: A Senator proposed an amendment at the end of the fourth "Resolved" from the end (the one

beginning, "RESOLVED, That the Faculty Senate strongly supports President Cabrera's call to preserve

...."): change ";" to "," and add, "but the Senate does not in any way endorse or encourage non-compliance

with obligations imposed by federal immigration law;"

Senator DeMulder: We are still abiding by the law.

Follow up: President Cabrera says rightly we have to obey federal law. The Supreme Court says DACA

was not lawful, idea of embracing a semi-invalid program … supports students’ privacy.

A Senator: Why do we need this?

A Senator supported the motion and amendment – concerned that this will be taken in solidarity with

many other universities who want to establish themselves as sanctuaries in violation of federal

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immigration law. It does not make sense to call attention to our willingness to be contumacious to the

law.

A Senator sees no reason to add amendment, to leave it as it is.

Another Senator agrees with not revising motion, laws have not changed but a symbolic affirmation of

our values and if we want to show our support for students, comply with FERPA law – students

expressing fear and concern.

The amendment was not approved. The resolution was approved.

VI. Remarks for the Good of the General Faculty – none.

VII. Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Charlene Douglas

Secretary

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Attachment A

Academic Policies Committee

December 7, 2016

1. The 2017 Summer Term Calendar that shows the summer sessions dates, as submitted by the

Registrar, is attached. The Academic Policies Committee recommends that the Faculty Senate

approve the 2017 Summer Term Calendar.

Summer 2017 Calendar (updated 11/14/2016)

**The Add/Drop/Selective Withdrawal periods for the 5-week sessions A and C are

different due to a potential server upgrade that will take down the Banner system for

two days at minimum and just before the start of the A session.

Session 1

12 weeks

Session A

5 weeks

Session B

8 weeks

Session C

5 weeks

Session D

10 weeks

Session Dates May 22-Aug 12 May 22-Jun 24 June 5-Jul 29 June 26-July 29 May 22-July 29

First day of classes Mon May 22 Mon May 22 Mon June 5 Mon June 26 Mon May 22

Last Day to Add

(Census) Tues May 30 Fri May 26 ** Mon Jun 12 Wed Jun 28 Tue May 30

Memorial Day

(University closed) Mon May 29

Last Day to Drop Fri Jun 9 Thu Jun 1 ** Mon Jun 19 Wed Jul 5 Wed Jun 7

Selective Withdrawal

Period –

undergraduate

Jun 12-Jun 30 Jun 5-7 ** Jun 20-Jun 27 Jul 6-Jul 10 Jun 8-Jun 15

Independence Day

Observance

(University closed)

Mon Jul 3-Tue Jul 4

Last Day of Class Wed Aug 9 Wed Jun 21 Wed Jul 26 Thu Jul 27 Wed Jul 26

Examination Period Aug 10-12 Jun 22-24 Jul 27-29 Jul 28-29 Jul 27-29

Dissertation/Thesis

Deadline Fri Aug 4

Degree Conferral Sat Aug 12

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Attachment B

Nominees and Statements for Research Advisory Committee

Claudio Cioffi-Revilla

Director, Center for Social Complexity, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study

University Professor, Computational & Data Sciences

College of Science

I would like to volunteer to serve on the University Research Advisory Committee, based on my

experience and strong interest in promoting research at Mason. I am University Professor (College of

Science) and Director of the Center for Social Complexity, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study. I have

been at Mason since 2002, growing the Provost’s Initiative in Computational Social Science, and in 2014-

2015 I served as Interim Vice President for Research. During that time, I led the ORED 2.0 Task Force,

consisting of faculty and administrators, which produced many recommendations for boosting research

at Mason, and also executed actions, including creation of the new Office of Research headed by VRP

Deb Crawford, separate from economic development. Now that I am back on the faculty and pursuing

my research projects and teaching, I would be happy to contribute ideas and energy in moving us

forward on research frontiers.

___________________

Gerald A. Hanweck

Professor, Finance

School of Business

I have served on the Research Council when I was Associate Dean for Graduate Programs in the School

of Management (now School of Business) and I am currently serving on the Faculty Senate Technology

Policy Committee and the Conflict of Interest Committee of the Office of Research Integrity and

Assurance. I would be pleased to serve on the Faculty Senate Research Advisory Committee.

___________________

Amy C. Hutchison, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Graduate School of Education

College of Education and Human Development

I work in the Elementary, Literacy, and Secondary Education program. I am interested in serving on the

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committee because of the importance of this role for faculty and the direction of the university. This is

my first year at Mason and I was previously a faculty member at a research intensive university that

exceptional research support and initiatives for faculty members at all stages. I would like to be part of

shaping such policies, initiatives, and faculty support at Mason.

___________________

Bijan Jabbari

Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Volgenau School of Engineering

Bijan Jabbari is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at George Mason University. He is

also an affiliated faculty with Telecom Paris-Tech in France. He helped in launching the area of

communications in his then newly founded department in 1988. He is recognized internationally for his

contributions to the field of wireless networks through research, standardization, patents and publishing

books, articles in highly respectable refereed journals and conferences as well as teaching. He has over

200 publications and continues conducting funded research through grants from US Research agencies

including NSF, ONR and NRL. He has successfully integrated the results of his research in developing

new graduate courses and focuses on teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses as well as

student mentorship. He received PhD and MS degree from Stanford University, California, in Electrical

Engineering. In addition, he obtained a MS degree in Engineering Economic Systems (now Management

Science and Engineering), also from Stanford University. He is a Fellow of IEEE, IET Fellow (formerly IEE

Fellow - Institution of Electrical Engineers) and received the IEEE Millennium Medal. He is a recipient of

the Washington DC Metropolitan Area Engineer of the Year Award, in 2003. He is the past chairman of

the IEEE Communications Society technical committee on Communications Switching and Routing. He

received the VSE Outstanding Faculty Research Award in 2013. He is a frequently invited to present

plenary and keynote speeches and is the General Chair of the IEEE GLOBECOM (the largest conference

on communications) to be held in Washington DC in December 2016.

___________________

Danielle S. Rudes

Deputy Director of the Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence (ACE!)

Associate Professor, Criminology, Law & Society

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Dr. Rudes has a competitive and active research agenda studying organizational change and reform in

U.S. correctional agencies (prison, jail, probation, parole). She partners with criminal justice agencies at

the Federal, State and local/county levels in both the adult and juvenile systems. She publishes her work

in a wide variety of scholarly and translational/policy outlets and is Associate Editor of the journal,

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Victims & Offenders. Dr. Rudes has an extensive grant portfolio that demonstrates her ability to garner

external funding. At present, Dr. Rudes is Principal Investigator on three active research grants with

funding from the National Institute of Justice, the Department of Juvenile Justice and the ASAE

Foundation. Additionally, Dr. Rudes is CO-PI or research expert on three additional (active) grants with

funding from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the Oregon Social

Learning Center. Dr. Rudes grant awards total $2 million+. She has won Mason's Excellence in Teaching,

Excellence in Mentoring and the Emerging Scholar/Researcher/Creator Awards.

It would be a great honor to serve on the Research Advisory Council at Mason. Research is my primary

function at Mason and I work diligently to make all research projects I undertake to continually improve

scholarly knowledge, while also advancing policy/practice within partner agencies. Also, I already

partner with the Office of Sponsored Programs and the Office of Research Integrity and Assurance as

they support and assist human subjects concerns, grant-getting and maintenance. I am both qualified to

and passionate about working with other Mason researchers and colleagues to help shape the direction

of research initiatives and policies as GMU takes its' place among other R1 universities.

___________________

Dr. Kimberly Sheridan

Associate Professor, Educational Psychology

College of Education and Human Development

Associate Professor, Art Education

College of Visual and Performing Arts

I am an associate professor with a joint appointment in Educational Psychology in the College of

Education and Human Development and Art Education in the College of Visual and Performing

Arts. Over the past ten years I have been at Mason, my research has been consistently well-funded,

mainly by the National Science Foundation and most recently the Institute of Museum and Library

Services. I regularly teach research methods/design courses—both qualitative and quantitative--to

masters’ and doctoral students in education. Through my research, I’ve formed many research

partnerships with other departments across Mason and other universities, museums, libraries,

community organizations and K-12 schools. I am interested in serving on the research advisory

committee because I want to contribute to the conversation about how to support research at Mason,

expand research opportunities for students and faculty, and envision how Mason can be a leader in

forging meaningful connections between university research and communities outside academia.

___________________

James C. Thompson

Associate Professor, Psychology

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College of Humanities and Social Sciences

I am an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, in CHSS. Within Psychology I am a member of the Cognitive and Behavioral Neuroscience Program. I have served as Associate Chair for Graduate Studies in the department, as well as Grad Program Director for CBN. I am a member of the Interdisciplinary Program in Neurosciences, and was part of the working group that established the Bioengineering graduate program (we just realized I wasn't formally an affiliate of Bioengineering but we are fixing that!). I am active in research in cognitive neuroscience, and collaborate closely with colleagues in Bioengineering, Krasnow, Computational Social Sciences, and even the School of Dance. I have been Director of GMU's 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) facility for the last 2 and a half years (although this is in temporary hiatus). I have been PI, co-PI, or co-I on more than $15 million in grants since joining GMU in 2006, including serving as PI on a recent NSF Major Research Instrumentation award for a new MRI scanner (GMU's first $1million+ NSF award of this kind). I am working closely with VP Crawford on developing a collaboration with Inova for the joint establishment of a new MRI center.

I am excited in the possibilities for research at GMU. We have some incredible talent here, and we are a young institution that shouldn't need to feel like we have to do stodgy, narrow, siloed research. I'd like to be a part of the process that allows us to not only cement our place as am R1 university, but also allows us to build up our reputation as a home for innovative, creative, and cutting edge research.

Attachment C

Cara L. Frankenfeld, PhD

Associate Professor and Director of Graduate Programs

Department of Global and Community Health

College of Health and Human Services

In my seven years at Mason, I have seen tremendous growth in research and research infrastructure. I

believe that we still have key initiatives and policies needs that will support Mason’s long-term research

goals. As a PI on internally and externally funded projects that include observational (epidemiology)

studies and clinical trials, I am well acquainted with the research processes and endeavors that work

well and areas that could benefit from evaluation. I have particular knowledge and strengths in the

areas of human subjects research and industry collaborations. Health research is a major initiative, and

my research focuses on nutritional, environmental, and social exposures that influence health outcomes.

My research is collaborative with other faculty throughout the university in CHHS, COS, and CEHD, and

the interdisciplinary nature of my research would allow me to bring that valuable perspective to the

committee. Among other service commitments to my college and the university, I was the CHHS

representative to the University Strategic Planning Academic Forum and am currently on the Health

Symposium Planning Committee. I would be honored to bring my experience to the Research Advisory

Committee.

___________________

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Sharon M. Leon, Ph.D.

Associate Professor

Director of Public Projects, Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media; and Dept of History and

Art History

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

As an Associate Professor in the History and Art History Department of the College of Humanities and

Social Sciences and as the Director of Public Project at the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New

Media, I have shaped and administered over $10 million dollars of sponsored research grants and

contracts since I came to Mason In 2004. I would like very much to be in conversation with the

administration about how to support and encourage the ability of faculty to apply for and receive state

and foundation funding for outside projects. A primary issue of concern for me is the ability of small

research units with soft-money researchers and staff to make the cost-sharing requirements of federal

grant opportunities. Similarly, we might discuss the possibility of variable in-direct rates for the different

units since the infrastructure costs of humanities work (even digital) is significantly less than those of the

sciences.

___________________

Amanda Shehu

Associate Professor, Computer Science

Volgenau School of Engineering.

I am very active in research (with 6 NSF grants in PI capactity, and two private foundation grants) for

close to $2M since I joined Mason in 2008. I became an Associate Professor in 2014.

In 2014, I received the Mason Emerging Researcher/Scholar/Creator Award and in 2013 I received

the Mason OSCAR Undergraduate Mentor Excellence Award.

I am very active both as an NSF review panelist and NIH study section member (annually).

At Mason, I have participated in review panels for the provost's multidisciplinary grants and have

engaged several times with Karl Batt regarding how to improve both the quality of research at Mason

and facilitate the formation of large interdisciplinary teams. My own research is inherently inter-

disciplinary. I have expressed my interest in helping Mason in any in this regard both to my chair, Dean

Ball, and Karl for some time now. I would love to be considered for this position.

___________________

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Michael E. Summers

Professor of Planetary Sciences and Astronomy

College of Science

I’ve been at GMU for nearly 17 years. During this time I’ve served as Associate Chair and then as Chair

of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and then as the Director of the School of Physics,

Astronomy and Computational Science. Also, I helped develop the undergraduate and graduate degree

programs in both Physics and Astronomy as well as help develop many of the key courses in planetary

sciences and astrobiology. I have also chaired over 50 dissertation committees. I have won numerous

COS, GMU and national awards for my research.

My research focuses on the study of the origin and evolution of planets. I’ve worked with NASA’s space

exploration program for nearly 35 years. I’m a lead co-investigator on the New Horizons mission to

Pluto and the Kuiper Belt, and have worked with 14 NASA space missions in my career. The New

Horizons mission was the top science story of the year in 2015, has won over two dozen national

awards, and won a clean sweep of all space exploration awards in 2015. Over the past decade, I’ve

worked with NASA and the commercial space programs to develop many commercial and educational

space applications for scientists as well as students.

My research in astrobiology and space exploration is highly interdisciplinary and overlaps Physics,

Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Atmospheric Science, Climate Dynamics, the Crash Center, and

other programs in COS. I have been either PI or Co-I of over 1.8 billion dollars of funding in my career,

and the sponsors of space science and exploration are one of the few areas that is expected to grow

rapidly in the new administration. I've collaborated with hundreds of scientists throughout world, many

in the agencies that sponsor most of our research at GMU.

I wish to contribute my experience in research and education to GMU’s Research Advisory

Committee. GMU is in need of someone who represents those of us faculty members who are striving

to produce cutting edge scholarship in an environment that barely supports our needs, and never

rewards us for our successes. The research advisory committee needs some fresh ideas and approaches.

I believe I can help advise GMU on its existing research portfolio, as well as on many near-future

opportunities in space exploration and for understanding Earth’s interaction with its space environment.

___________________

Faye S Taxman

University ProfessorCriminology, Law & SocietyDirector, Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence

College of Health and Human Services

I am an engaged researcher at GMU that oversees and/or conducts nearly 20 studies a year at the

Center for Advancing Correctional Excellence and as a faculty member. The policies and practices of

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GMU to facilitate research and promote research are critical in a public university and I am interested in

furthering GMU’s efforts to promote research at all levels from undergraduates to graduate student to

young scholars to senior scholars.

___________________

Janusz Wojtusiak

Associate Professor of Health Informatics

Department of Health Administration and Policy

Director, Machine Learning and Inference Laboratory

Director, Center for Discovery Science and Health Informatics

Chief, Health Informatics Program

College of Health and Human Services

GMU research is moving toward being more and more interdisciplinary and focus of the committee

should be on coordinating these efforts. Being Chief of Health Informatics program that collaborates

with multiple units within CHHS and across university, gives me unique perspective on collaborations.

GMU has become Tier 1 Research university thanks to research performed by the faculty and students.

Our role is to ensure that voice of the faculty is heard by the university administration and decisions that

affect research are those in best interest of research. Push to pursue funding and students may not

always be aligned with independent and unbiased basic research. I hope that one of the roles of the new

committee will be to keep that balance.

Therefore, I'd like to be considered for the new committee.

__________________________